ABSTRACT
Objective: Infertility is a common human disorder which is defined as the failure to conceive for a period of 12 months without contraception. Many studies have shown that the outcome of fertility could be affected by DNA damage. We attempted to examine the association of two SNPs [rs1127354 and rs7270101] in ITPA, a gene encoding a key factor in the repair system, with susceptibility to infertility
Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study of individuals with established infertility. Blood samples were obtained from 164 infertile patients and 180 ethnically matched fertile controls. Total genomic DNA were extracted from whole blood using the standard salting out method, and stored at -20 C. Genotyping were based on mismatch polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] method in which PCR products were digested with the XmnI restriction enzyme and run on a 12% polyacrylamide gel
Results: All genotype frequencies in the control group were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A significant association [in allelic, recessive and dominant genotypic models] was observed between infertile patients and healthy controls based on rs1127354 [P=0.0001], however, no significant association was detected for rs7270101. Also, gender stratification and analysis of different genotype models did not lead to a significant association for this single- nucleotide polymorphis [SNP]
Conclusion: ITPA is likely to be a genetic determinant for decreased fertility. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating this association, however, given the small sample size and other limitations, genotyping of this SNP is recommended to be carried out in different populations with more samples
ABSTRACT
Background: In order to empower infertile individuals and provide high quality patient-centered infertility care, it is necessary to recognize and meet infertile individuals' educational needs. This study aims to examine infertility patients' knowledge and subsequently their education needs given their attitudinal approach to infertility education in terms of patients who undergo assisted reproduction treatment
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study enrolled 150 subjects by convenience sampling of all patients who received their first assisted reproductive treatment between July and September 2015 at a referral fertility clinic, Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran. We used a questionnaire that measured fertility and infertility information [8 questions] as well as attitude toward education on the causes and treatment of infertility [5 questions]. Chi-square, independent sample t test, and one way ANOVA analyses were conducted to examine differences by sex. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant
Results: Total mean knowledge was 3.08 +/- 0.99. Clients' responses indicated that the highest mean knowledge scores related to knowledge of factors that affected pregnancy [3.97 +/- 1.11] and infertility treatment [3.97 +/- 1.16]. The lowest mean knowledge scores related to knowledge of the natural reproductive cycle [2.96 +/- 1.12] and anatomy of the genital organs [2.94 +/- 1.16]. Most females [92.1%] and males [83.3%] were of the opinion that infertility education programs should include causes of infertility and types of treatment associated with diagnostic and laboratory procedures. No statistically significant difference existed between male and female participants [P=0.245]
Conclusion: Most participants in this study expressed awareness of factors that affect pregnancy and infertility treatment. It is imperative to educate and empower infertile individuals who seek reproduction treatment in terms of infertility causes and types of treatment, as well as diagnostic and laboratory procedures to enable them to make informed decisions about their assisted reproductive procedures